I have returned to this fairytale over and over through the years, always finding some new way to tell it, something it says that I hadn’t seen before. An absolute favorite!
Mesmerizing, you definitely portrayed the thinly veiled sexual link between Wolf and maiden with exquisitely beautiful definition. And the death, the blood? Who is to say it was a mortal death, but perhaps the death of her childhood as she embraced the wild passion of her natural being. The passing of child to woman, marked by the blood in the sheet - hung not out a window for the town to verify her interact virginity. Rather, laid bare on the carpet of Mother Earth, decrying that no one but they need to honor its passing in lustful frenzy. Beautiful - thank you!
Thank you for your lovely compliment. Yes, Meg, we could probably talk fairytales in general for eons! I read In the Company of Wolves (Angela Carter), but I don’t remember ever seeing the film. I’ll look for it. Her interpretation felt incredibly real to me, like a rite of passage tale stripped of politeness but still wrapped in allegory. Raw. I’ve thought that perhaps the grandmother being eaten was a commentary on how girls must leave the shelter of older women and strike out on their own adventures.
I’ve dabbled with re-framing some of my favorite fairytales in my short stories and it’s such a fun exercise. I think I’ve done Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Hansel and Gretel.
Thanks, Meg! You interpreted it perfectly! I was trying to speak of that passage from girlhood to woman. It is, in some ways, a death—but also the birth of a new being in possession of all her feelings and desires. And the Wolf/man slays the child in her and has that blood on his hands, even as he welcomes the rising woman.
You are a superb poetry author - I really enjoyed reading it and am still dwelling on its thematic connection to what I, too, believed was always the deeper message of the original tale. Have you ever seen the film, and I’m praying I remember the name right… ‘In The Company of Wolves’ back in the 80’s? If not, You Doris give it a watch.
If you think further on the original tale - perhaps the wolf devouring the elder grandmother is it a commentary on “Don’t be afraid of getting old when you are full of youth and vitality” … I have a feeling you and u could discuss the story of Red Riding Hood for days! Thank you again. 🌹
Thanks, Katharine! I have always had a soft spot for werewolves in folk legend and horror, and wolves in their crucial role in fairytale. I’d been thinking about the wolf inside man and how we portray it….and I’d been thinking of the wonderful mash-up of the series Penny Dreadful. I think I’ll have my own mash-up soon!
this gave me chills: "When he saw her in her scarlet hood
his teeth began to grow." well-crafted!
Thanks! Sometimes love is like that...or lust. Like a hunt and a hunger. I'm old now, but I remember...
it's good to remember sometimes :) ...
It's both ominous and full of desire. Loved it.
Thanks, Jennifer!
So evocative!
Thanks, Wendy!
have you read Wolf Parts by Matt Bell? you definitely should if you haven’t yet. it will be right up your alley.
I have not. Gonna go look for it, thanks!
Death and the maiden. Lovely.
Once again you’ve reach into a place most people have not contemplated in a simple fairytale. ❤️
Thanks, Dad!
Redcap is my favourite fairytale too. I wrote about it somewhere myself.
Great poem, especially how death is interchangeable with first sex. Death and the maiden, sort of thing...
I have returned to this fairytale over and over through the years, always finding some new way to tell it, something it says that I hadn’t seen before. An absolute favorite!
Mesmerizing, you definitely portrayed the thinly veiled sexual link between Wolf and maiden with exquisitely beautiful definition. And the death, the blood? Who is to say it was a mortal death, but perhaps the death of her childhood as she embraced the wild passion of her natural being. The passing of child to woman, marked by the blood in the sheet - hung not out a window for the town to verify her interact virginity. Rather, laid bare on the carpet of Mother Earth, decrying that no one but they need to honor its passing in lustful frenzy. Beautiful - thank you!
Thank you for your lovely compliment. Yes, Meg, we could probably talk fairytales in general for eons! I read In the Company of Wolves (Angela Carter), but I don’t remember ever seeing the film. I’ll look for it. Her interpretation felt incredibly real to me, like a rite of passage tale stripped of politeness but still wrapped in allegory. Raw. I’ve thought that perhaps the grandmother being eaten was a commentary on how girls must leave the shelter of older women and strike out on their own adventures.
I’ve dabbled with re-framing some of my favorite fairytales in my short stories and it’s such a fun exercise. I think I’ve done Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Hansel and Gretel.
Thanks, Meg! You interpreted it perfectly! I was trying to speak of that passage from girlhood to woman. It is, in some ways, a death—but also the birth of a new being in possession of all her feelings and desires. And the Wolf/man slays the child in her and has that blood on his hands, even as he welcomes the rising woman.
You are a superb poetry author - I really enjoyed reading it and am still dwelling on its thematic connection to what I, too, believed was always the deeper message of the original tale. Have you ever seen the film, and I’m praying I remember the name right… ‘In The Company of Wolves’ back in the 80’s? If not, You Doris give it a watch.
If you think further on the original tale - perhaps the wolf devouring the elder grandmother is it a commentary on “Don’t be afraid of getting old when you are full of youth and vitality” … I have a feeling you and u could discuss the story of Red Riding Hood for days! Thank you again. 🌹
"He was strong and fast and cunning,
but, most frightening of all, he was beautiful." A great poem, Liz. Looking forward to seeing what this is the precursor to!
Thanks, Katharine! I have always had a soft spot for werewolves in folk legend and horror, and wolves in their crucial role in fairytale. I’d been thinking about the wolf inside man and how we portray it….and I’d been thinking of the wonderful mash-up of the series Penny Dreadful. I think I’ll have my own mash-up soon!
That sounds fantastic!
Dark and beautiful, Liz.
Thanks, Jim!
Liz, I'm so jealous of poets. I just don't have it in me but you, you surely do. - Jim
Thanks, Jim! Poems used to come flocking, but not so much anymore. I’ve turned toward stories and apparently cannot multitask, lol.
You could have…and did, fool me. You have a poet’s heart Liz.
Nicely done!
Thanks, Steve!
Really lovely, dark and beautiful. Poetry is the right way to tell these kinds of stories.
Thanks, Jean! Sometimes, poetry is the only way…